Vehicle expansion retainer

Abstract

A method and apparatus for retaining accessories to a vehicle.

1. A method for retaining accessories to a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
 coupling an expansion retainer to an accessory; 
 inserting a distal end of the expansion retainer within a mounting aperture on the vehicle; and 
 rotating pivotally a handle member located on a proximal end of the expansion retainer between an open position and a closed position to move a shaft in an axial direction to compress a grommet against the mounting aperture. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a pin member pivotally couples the shaft to the handle member. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a spacer member is located proximal of the grommet. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a bracket member is fastened to the accessory to couple the expansion retainer to the accessory. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a washer member is placed atop of the accessory to couple to the expansion retainer to the accessory. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the grommet is compressed between a spacer and a fastener. 
     
     
       7. A method for retaining accessories to a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
 supporting a platform on a vehicle, the platform including a mounting aperture; 
 providing an expansion retainer; 
 coupling the expansion retainer to an accessory; 
 inserting a distal end of the expansion retainer within the mounting aperture on the platform; and 
 causing a portion of the expansion retainer to move radially outward for securing the accessory to the platform. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the portion of the expansion retainer includes a grommet; and 
 the step of causing the portion of the expansion retainer to move radially outward includes compressing the grommet against the mounting aperture. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of coupling the platform to a vehicle chassis. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of coupling the expansion retainer to the accessory includes the step of providing a bracket member on the expansion retainer and fastening the accessory to the bracket member. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of causing a portion of the expansion retainer to move radially outward includes pivoting a handle member located on a proximal end of the expansion retainer between an open position and a closed position to move a shaft in an axial direction to compress the portion of the expansion retainer. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the portion of the expansion retainer is compressed between a spacer and a fastener. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , wherein during the compressing step, the grommet expands radially outward below a bottom surface of the accessory platform. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the expansion retainer is pulled toward a top surface of the accessory platform when the grommet expands below the bottom surface. 
     
     
       15. An accessory attachment apparatus for a vehicle comprising:
 an accessory platform configured to be coupled to the vehicle and including a top surface and at least one mounting aperture extending from the top surface; 
 a retainer including a shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end; 
 an accessory supported by the retainer; 
 a user interface supported at the proximal end of the shaft in spaced relation above the top surface of the accessory platform and movable between first and second positions; and 
 wherein the distal end of the shaft is slidably and releasably received within the at least one mounting aperture when the user interface is in the first position, and the shaft is secured within the at least one mounting aperture when the user interface is in the second position. 
 
     
     
       16. The accessory attachment apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the user interface includes a handle member pivotally supported by the shaft for movement between the first position and the second position to move the shaft in an axial direction. 
     
     
       17. The accessory attachment apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the retainer further includes a grommet located on the shaft at the distal end. 
     
     
       18. The accessory attachment apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the retainer further includes a spacer member located proximal of the grommet. 
     
     
       19. The accessory attachment apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the grommet is compressed between the spacer member and the fastener and expands radially outward when the user interface is moved to the second position. 
     
     
       20. The accessory attachment apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the grommet expands radially outward below a bottom surface of the accessory platform when the shaft is received within the at least one mounting aperture and the user interface is moved to the second position.